hardly knew whether the fault was yours or theirs, but somehow the Bible stories ceased to charm, and, with a sigh, you had to turn to other books to interest your growing children. You mourned over it, for you knew there were yet unopened pages in the Bible containing precious promises which you longed for them to grasp, and counsels which, if they followed, would purify their lives; but the pages were difficult, and you feared to make them a task, and so the books remained sealed. I know, dear Friends, it has been so with many among you. I felt it myself, and I believe it was God who led me to try if we could not yet find subjects to interest and instruct our elder children in His own Word. This book is the result of my effort. The work has been difficult, and sometimes I felt inclined to drop my pen, lest I should make mistakes or misunderstand God's Word. Then a thought like this cheered me on: Suppose a father in a foreign land were to send a long letter to his children; in it he spoke of distant countries, giving a sketch of their aspect and of their history. Perhaps one child might consider the letter dry and uninteresting; while another, knowing how anxious his father was for his good, tried to find out the meaning, and so became interested. Even though sometimes he did not grasp the ideas, and sometimes even misunderstood them, would he not give more Preface to Mothers. vii pleasure to his father than his brother would do, who simply put the letter aside with indifference? So I trust our Heavenly Father will pardon me where I have failed to understand His Word; and may He help us all to gain a further knowledge of His truth. I am, Your sincere Friend, M. D. H. |